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  Method and apparatus for removing weft threads from the edge of a fabricUSPTO Application #: 20080000541Title: Method and apparatus for removing weft threads from the edge of a fabric Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing weft threads from an edge of a fabric is described and which includes a bed for supporting a fabric which is manufactured from both warp and weft threads, and which has a forward edge, and an opposite lateral edge; a selectively rotatable draw-off device mounted adjacent to one of the lateral edges and which forcibly engages a first end of a weft thread which is to be removed; and a plurality of wedge assemblies are mounted on the bed, and which are selectively moveable to the forward edge of the fabric, and which facilitate the separation of the weft thread which has been engaged from the forward edge of the fabric. (end of abstract) Agent: Wells St. John P.s. - Spokane, WA, US Inventors: Chester F. Kutzleb, Roy W. Thompson, Gary P. Wells USPTO Applicaton #: 20080000541 - Class: 1391162 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080000541. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED PATENT DATA [0001]The present application claims priority to Austrian Patent Application Serial No. 1092/2006, and which was filed on 28 Jun. 2006. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002]The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing weft threads from the edge of a fabric, and more specifically to a method and apparatus which facilitates the formation of continuous fabric webs which when incorporated within paper machines are useful in fabricating various paper products. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]The beneficial effects of employing various continuous fabric belts in the formation of various paper products are well known. Typically, paper machines use three different and very distinct types of woven fabric belts to make paper. These fabric belts are placed in three different locations on a paper machine and are typically referred to as forming, press and dryer belts. As a general matter, these continuous fabric belts are usually 30 to 40 feet in width, and up to 200 feet in length, depending upon their relative position in the paper machine. The surface speeds of these continuous fabric belts is normally in excess of 60 mph. [0004]As should be understood, the paper machine fabric belts main job is to support the newly formed paper sheet and to remove water from the paper sheet in a very exact and consistent manner, thereby producing a clean and high quality sheet of paper. Those skilled in the art will recognize that forming belts must be fabricated from a woven forming fabric in such a fashion so as to provide a high quality surface. Such continuous forming belts must have a woven seam to join the fabric ends together in order to form a continuous belt. [0005]In the process of forming this continuous forming belt, a first seam strip is cut off one of the ends of a forming fabric. Thereafter the weft threads or as sometimes called, cross machine threads are then removed from each of the fabric ends leaving the warp, or machine direction threads by themselves. These warp threads are typically supported and held in place by a seaming band. The seam strip is then prepared by removing the warp threads. This seam strip is now placed in an automatic seaming machine harness that is mounted to a jacquard head. Using the jacquard head to reproduce the exact same weave pattern as the fabric body, it is possible to recreate the weaving pattern and by using this seam strip, introduce the warp ends from each side of the fabric body to the seam strip using various insertion points where the two ends meet. Through this process it is possible to make the fabric endless, thereby forming a belt which is then later installed on a paper machine. [0006]In the prior art process which is utilized heretofore, fabrics which will be used in continuous forming or dryer belts must first be prepared by removing weft threads from the seam area of the fabric. While various devices are currently in existence to automatically remove warp threads from the seam strip, the current methodology still requires that an operator, by hand, manually remove any remaining weft threads from the seam strip region. This is a very time consuming process. It also has a negative ergonomic impact on the operator who must maintain their body in a bent-over condition for many hours. This posture, of course, promotes back and shoulder pain and other discomforts. [0007]While assorted devices and other methodology have been employed to try to reduce operator discomfort and increase the speed with which such endless fabric belts may be fabricated, such efforts have failed to produce a device which eliminates substantial operator involvement in the removal of weft threads from the edge of the fabric. [0008]Therefore, an apparatus for removing weft threads from the edge of a fabric is the subject matter of the present application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009]One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for removing weft threads from an edge of a fabric which includes the steps of engaging a first end of a weft thread which is to be removed from a forward edge of a fabric, and wherein the weft thread has an opposite second end; progressively separating the weft thread which is to removed from the forward edge of the fabric, and wherein the progressive separation extends in a direction from the first end of the weft thread to the second end thereof; and removing the weft thread which has been separated from the forward edge of the fabric. [0010]Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for removing weft threads from an edge of a fabric which includes the steps of providing a fabric having a forward edge, and opposite lateral edges, and wherein the fabric comprises both warp and weft threads; engaging a first end of a weft thread to be removed from the forward edge of the fabric, and wherein the first end is near one of the lateral edges of the fabric; moving the first end of the weft thread which has been engaged away from the forward edge of the fabric; imparting a longitudinally directed pulling force to the first end of the weft thread which has been engaged; progressively, forcibly separating the weft thread which has been engaged along its entire length from the forward edge of the fabric; and removing the separated weft thread from the fabric. [0011]Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for removing a weft thread from an edge of a fabric which includes the steps of providing a fabric having a forward edge, and opposite lateral edges, and wherein the fabric comprises both warp and weft threads; displacing a first end of a weft thread which is to be removed from the forward edge of the fabric to a location which is in spaced relation relative to the forward edge of the fabric, and wherein the weft thread to be removed has an opposite second end; engaging the displaced first end of the weft thread and exerting a pulling force substantially longitudinally along the weft thread to be removed; providing a draw-off device which may be selectively energized, and securing the displaced first end within the draw-off device; providing a plurality of selectively actuated wedge assemblies which are oriented in substantially parallel relation relative to the forward edge of the fabric; sequentially moving the respective wedge assembly along an angulated path of travel relative to the fabric and through the warp threads thereof, and between the weft thread to be removed and the forward edge of the fabric so as to cause the weft thread to become spaced from the forward edge of the fabric; and energizing the draw-off device so as to remove the weft thread which has been separated from the forward edge of the fabric. [0012]Yet a further aspect of the present invention relates to a weft thread removal apparatus which includes a bed for supporting a fabric which is manufactured from both warp and weft threads, and which further has a forward edge, and opposite lateral edges; a selectively rotatable draw-off device mounted adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the fabric and which forcibly engages a first end of a weft thread which is to be removed; and a plurality of wedge assemblies which are mounted on the bed, and which are selectively moveable relative to the forward edge of the fabric, and which facilitate the separation of the weft thread which has been engaged from the forward edge of the fabric. [0013]A further aspect of the present invention relates to a weft thread removal apparatus which includes a bed having an upper supporting surface which supports a fabric which is manufactured from both warp and weft threads, and wherein the fabric further has a forward edge, and opposite lateral edges, and wherein the bed defines an aperture extending therethrough; an engagement assembly mounted on the bed and adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the fabric, and wherein the engagement assembly is reciprocally moveable along a path of travel which is substantially parallel to the warp threads, and wherein the engagement assembly when moving along the reciprocal path of travel engages a first end of a weft thread which is to be removed from the forward edge of the fabric, and displaces the first end to a location which is in spaced relation relative thereto; a moveable clamping assembly cooperating with the bed, and which engages the displaced first end of the weft thread to be removed and exerts a longitudinally oriented pulling force on the first end; a draw-off device which may be selectively energized, and which is positioned adjacent to the clamping assembly, and wherein the first end of the weft thread to be removed is secured within the draw-off device; a plurality of moveable wedge assemblies which are mounted below the upper supporting surface of the bed, and which can be selectively actuated so as to move along a reciprocal path of travel, and extend, at least in part, through the aperture defined by the bed, and facilitate the separation of the weft thread to be removed from the forward edge of the fabric which is supported on the bed; and a controller operably coupled to each of the plurality of the moveable wedges, and the draw-off device, and wherein the respective moveable wedges are first, individually sequentially moved so as to separate the weft thread from the forward edge of the fabric, and once separated, the controller energizes the draw-off device so as to remove the separated weft thread from the fabric. [0014]These and other aspects of the present invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015]Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. [0016]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective end view of an apparatus for practicing the methodology for removing weft threads from an edge of a fabric. [0017]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, perspective view of a plurality of wedge assemblies which are useful for practicing, at least in part, the methodology of the present invention. [0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective, fragmentary, side elevation view of the apparatus for practicing the methodology of the present invention. [0019]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a portion of the apparatus for practicing the methodology of the present invention and which is shown in a first position. Continue reading... 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